Instructor of Violin/Viola
MEET Payton Andrews
Years of Teaching Experience
Payton is a passionate violinist, violist, pianist, songwriter, and educator who guides students of all ages to build strong technical skills while discovering their own unique musical voice. He believes in celebrating small victories, providing the tools for lifelong independence, and making music a joyful, expressive outlet—because nothing beats seeing a student fully absorbed in their own artistry.
From Romantic Concertos to Creative Expression – Payton’s Journey
Payton began playing violin and piano at age six, but quickly fell in love with the great romantic violin concertos and made violin his primary instrument. As a teenager, he earned early recognition by serving as concertmaster of the 2012 Texas All-State Philharmonic Orchestra—one of the most competitive youth ensembles in the country. Building on this, he was competitively accepted with a merit-based scholarship into the prestigious Interlochen Arts Academy (often ranked #1 Best High School for the Arts in America) as a junior in high school. There, during his senior year, he immersed himself in intensive daily choral and orchestral rehearsals, which deepened his appreciation for collaboration, ensemble musicianship, and the power of collective artistry. He also grew as a chamber and orchestral musician through programs at the Meadowmount School of Music and the Brevard Music Center.
He holds a Bachelor’s degree from Stephen F. Austin State University and a Master’s in violin performance and pedagogy from the University of Colorado-Boulder, where he taught violin to students of all ages and directed string orchestras at middle schools in Colorado and Texas.
During his Master’s, Payton broadened his horizons—becoming proficient on piano, composing virtuosic concert etudes for violin, and developing a love for songwriting. He has since moved to Austin to collaborate with fellow creators, work with his brother on their first record, score his first short film, and develop a new musical inspired by George Orwell’s 1984.
Payton teaches because music is a powerful form of self-expression—often the way we communicate when words fall short. He loves witnessing students become truly absorbed in a performance, reaching incremental goals, and most importantly, cultivating their individual artistry. Rather than showing every detail, he equips students with the tools to accomplish anything on their own, celebrating small victories along the way so they can have fun, grow confident, and express themselves freely through music.
Social Media:
Facebook- https://www.facebook.com/share/1BhDztMA4m/?mibextid=wwXIfr
Genres
- Classical Baroque
- Classical Romantic
- Classical Impressionist
- Film Music
- Contemporary Music
- Fiddle